HEALTHY LIFESTYLE URGED FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

The American Cancer Society has issued new guidelines encouraging doctors to talk to cancer patients about the benefits of eating right, exercising, and losing weight, when it comes to preventing the disease from coming back. Experts are referring to strong evidence that exercise and eating healthy helps prevent recurrence of the disease.

Dr. Omer Kucuk, an oncologist at Emory University who has done research on the effect of nutrition on prostate cancer, shared: "Usually, the last thing on their mind is to talk about diet and exercise." What doctors normally focus on, he added, is surgery, chemotherapy, or other treatments.

While officials of the American Cancer Society have long been advocates of healthy eating and exercise as a way to prevent the onset and recurrence of certain cancers, the group did not believe that there was enough research to support a strong statement for cancer survivors, at least until now.

In the last five years, there have been more than 100 studies involving cancer survivors, many of which associated exercise and/or healthy diet with lower recurrence rates for cancer, as well as longer survival. Most of these studies looked at breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, and involved observational studies. While these studies cannot prove a cause and effect, the volume of research was defined as "compelling."

Colleen Doyle, director of nutrition and physical activity for the American Cancer Society, shared: "We've got enough data now to make these recommendations."

source: http://www.hometestingblog.testcountry.com/